British Waterways Canal Wildlife Survey

20/07/2006 00:00:00 British Waterways is launching its fourth annual wildlife survey and is calling on the UK population to contribute to an ever growing database of biodiversity on the UK 's historic canal network. This year's focus is on one of the prettiest birds in the UK , the kingfisher, frequently seen as a blur of electric blue as it darts between tree boughs and reeds in its tireless search for food.

With half the population living within five miles of a canal and millions of people visiting the waterways each year, British Waterways hopes that many of these visitors will take the time to record the wildlife they see during the summer months. While the general presence of waterway wildlife is an indicator of a healthy environment, kingfishers are found particularly where water quality is good and pollution is low.

The survey, important because it helps record the health of the nation's waterway wildlife, can be completed online at http://www.waterscape.com/wildlife .

Dr Mark Robinson, national ecology manager at British Waterways comments: ‘Waterway visitors' eyes and ears are so important in helping British Waterways manage the precious wildlife that lives in our canals, rivers, hedgerows and trees.
‘We're asking waterway visitors to look out for herons, swans, otters, water voles, bumble bees, dragonflies, frogs and even grass snakes. But this year we're specifically asking people to keep their eyes peeled for the flash of the kingfisher.’